FR2856911A1 - Single-use cosmetic article, e.g. wipe for cleansing and/or applying care substance to skin or hair, comprises fibrous support that shrinks and becomes elastic, or disintegrated upon contact with water at specified temperature - Google Patents

Abstract

A single-use cosmetic article comprises fibrous support extending a plane and made of material such that when the support is placed in contact with water at a first temperature, it partially shrinks and becomes elastic in a direction of the plane, and that when the support is placed in contact with water at a second temperature that is higher than the first temperature, it dissolves to become partially disintegrated. An independent claim is also included for Process of cosmetic treatment using the above article by impregnating the article with water at a first temperature; placing a cosmetic product on the article impregnated with water; placing face of the article impregnated with the cosmetic product in contact with a surface to be treated, especially the skin or the hair; and placing the article in contact with water at a second temperature to dissolve the support and partially disintegrate the article.

Description

2856911 1

  The present invention relates to a cosmetic or care article. Generally this type of cosmetic articles, by their consistency, and their ease of use, are called supports or wipes. An advantageous use of this type of article is to be wetted before use and then be used as a means of cleaning and or application of a care on the skin or hair, although other uses are also possible. Indeed, this article can also be used for the household in dusting or waxing applications.

  Individual cleaning media have been known for a long time. These carriers are generally classified into two main types: "wet wipes" or "dry wipes". The invention relates to the field of "dry wipes" to be used preferably moistened. For example, US Pat. No. 4,303,543 discloses a fibrous nonwoven support impregnated with an aqueous solution comprising a surfactant and a softener. The nonwoven fibrous support is then dried in the form of a dry wipe. Finally, when seeking to use this dry wipe, the user simply moistens with water said dry wipe and can then wash the skin or hair and or disentangle the hair with the wipe.

  The subject of the invention is a single-use cosmetic article comprising at least one fibrous support extending substantially in at least one plane, and made of at least one material chosen so that, i) when the support is put into contact with water at a first temperature (TO) retracts at least partially and becomes elastic in at least one direction of said plane, and ii) when the support is brought into contact with water at a second temperature (T1), higher than the first temperature (TO), it dissolves so as to disintegrate at least in part.

  To produce a support according to the invention, nonwoven and from water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol fibers, three successive stages are carried out: the formation of the veil, the consolidation and then the finishing. However, in some recent technological developments, these steps tend to overlap partially or even completely in order to obtain new properties of the support.

  First, the fiber web comes from bales of cut fibers or filaments. It can for example be obtained by one of the following three methods by the dry route, the melted route or the wet route. In particular, the dry route can be carried out as follows. A mechanical process converts the entangled fibers into a fabric of parallel fibers. It begins with the opening of the fiber bales which are then mixed and then fed to a carder via a treadmill. This machine is formed of one or more rotating drums with fine threads or teeth that paint the fibers.

  The basis weight for nonwovens and the desired fiber orientation are important factors. From this flow the parameters of the machine. Thus, the fibers can be oriented in the length of the web (i.e. in the machine direction, which also corresponds to a main axis of elongation of the fibers finally obtained support). The mechanical properties are generally better in the machine direction than in the cross direction. However, the machine parameters can be set to reduce this anisotropy. Like the composition of the web, the formation rate can be modulated according to the desired properties.

  In this case to achieve a nonwoven according to the invention, starting short polyvinyl alcohol fibers of about 1 cm long. In particular, the fibers used in the invention are water-soluble fibers of the Kuralon II type of the Kuraray company. In particular, in this category, fibers having a dissolution temperature above 20 ° C. and, for example, around 55 ° C. or 40 ° C. are chosen according to the desired use temperatures. The selected fibers are for example one of those described in EP-B-0 636 716.

  The veil obtained is not strong enough to be used as is. Consolidation is necessary to maintain the veil. This is a very important step in the production of nonwovens. Indeed, according to the 2856911 3 method chosen, the final properties differ. The web can for example be consolidated by chemical bonding, or thermal bonding or mechanical bonding. The oldest technique for consolidating nonwovens is mechanical bonding, for example by needling or entanglement by jets of water. This binding physically entangles the fibers and the friction of the fibers against each other allows the reinforcement of the veil.

  With entanglement by water jets, the fibers undergo the impact of very fine water jets at high pressure and entangle. The pressure of the jets determines the strength of the nonwoven that one wants to obtain. The nonwovens obtained by this method have specific properties; a great softness to the touch, a very aesthetic texture and a high resistance. In general, the jets of water are perpendicular to the nonwoven.

  Finally, the finishing of the veil, before or after the consolidation of the veil, can be obtained by adding certain products chosen from a large number of chemical substances and thus confer specific properties on the nonwoven according to the applications: hydrophobic, porous, antistatic, absorbent, conductive, flame retardant, breathable. Different treatments are applied such as coating, printing, flocking, dyeing or combining with other materials to form more complex supports.

  Finally the nonwoven web is finished and rolled up, it can be subjected to new treatments and shaped in the form of supports. The final shape of the supports is obtained after passing through transformers that split, cut, fold, sew, impregnate and counter glue the veil. For example, for a cosmetic use, the support is, at least in part, impregnated with a cosmetic product, preferably anhydrous, including a makeup removal product.

  In the invention, the nonwoven supports obtained have a basis weight of about 50 g / m 2.

  The support formed from such a nonwoven is preferably packaged dry to then be used wet. When the support is humidified, at a first temperature (TO) for its future use, the retraction of the support on itself is at least 45% of the lengths and / or the widths of the support when it is defined in a plane . And preferably, the retraction is at least 60% in a direction of said plane. In particular, the support is moistened at this stage at a temperature below 40 C, which corresponds to a solubilization temperature of the support.

  Due to the shrinkage of the support along its length and or its width, a reduction of the surface formed in the plane by the support by a factor of at least 4 is observed in parallel.

  The thickness of the support may optionally be modified by passing from the first state, generally dry, to the second wet state, i.e. humidified. In the second state, the thickness may be increased. In parallel, the roughness of the support surface is greater in the moistened state than in the dry state. This roughness of the support confers interesting mechanical properties for cleaning the skin.

  The carrier develops the above physical characteristics when it is wetted from a solution of temperature below a solubilization temperature of the fibers that constitute it. In the example above, the solubilization temperature of the support is greater than 20 C and is defined around 40 C.

  When the support is wetted with a solution at a temperature above its solubilization temperature, in this case around 40 C for the example above, then the support dissolves rapidly. It can be easily removed without creating additional waste.

  In parallel with its retraction, the support also becomes more elastic when it is in a humidified state than in its initial dry state. This elasticity results in an elongation at break for the nonwovens according to the invention comprising a main elongation axis of the fibers. This elongation at break is at least fivefold or tenfold in the direction of the main axis of elongation of the fibers in the wet state relative to the elongation at break obtained when the article is dry.

  The support is anisotropic. Indeed, the elongation at break in a direction orthogonal to the main axis of elongation of the fibers decreases during the transition from the first dry state to the second wet state, in contrast to the increasing elongation observed in the direction parallel to the main axis of elongation of the fibers.

  The supports made according to the invention, once they have been wetted a first time, so as to pass from the first state to the second state, they can not find their dimensional characteristics or their mechanical properties related to their first state. The transition from the first state to the second state is irreversible. Nevertheless, the support which has been humidified to the point of reaching its second state, if it is not dissolved and left in the open air, it ceases. This cured state is reversible, and a simple re-humidification of the support makes it possible to return the characteristics observed in the second state, in particular its elasticity. The support may therefore be reusable for application to the skin or the hair, even after the first humidification provided that the humidification temperature is always lower than the dissolution temperature of the support.

  The support according to the invention may be cut in the form of a plane support, of rectangular, oval or circular shape, but may also be presented in various forms and cuttings, for example in the form of a wipe, a glove, a buffer, or an applicator tip. The support may be single or multi-layered, and may also be associated with other types of support, for example in combination with a sponge, a fabric, or permeable or impermeable supports.

  The support according to the present invention can have many applications depending on the ingredients incorporated in the support. More particularly, the invention relates to cosmetic articles in which a surfactant or other cosmetic and / or care component is present in the solid state, for example in the form of a powder of a foaming or makeup composition. These articles may also comprise liquid, for example encapsulated so that this liquid can moisten the cosmetic article, and therefore the surfactant and or other cometic components, when the capsules are broken.

  For example, this type of support can be used to apply a foundation, a skin care, a hair care product (for example, a shampoo, a balm after shampoo, a detangling bath or a dye), a self-tanning composition, a sunscreen, a cleansing product, a perfume, an anti-mosquito, an anti-wrinkle or anti-acne treatment, or any other cosmetic and or care product.

  The support may also comprise fatty substances, for example products which are soluble only in oils, such as make-up compositions, or softeners, or compositions comprising sunscreens which are only soluble in oil, in this case the components are encapsulated.

  These supports can be presented in different types of packaging.

  For example, they can be compressed, possibly folded on themselves and stacked on top of each other in a flexible plastic bag so as to be easily transportable. This type of flexible plastic bag has an opening through which the supports can be taken one after the other. Before the very first use, this opening is sealed and sealed by a film covering this opening and having at least one adhesive perimeter to seal around this opening. After the first use, the film can optionally be placed on the opening or be permanently discarded.

  If necessary, the opening may be surrounded by flexible additional tabs extending along the adjacent edges of the opening. There is thus an opening with flexible edges and can deviate during the removal of the supports that are contained in the bag.

  The supports can be folded in different ways. For example, the supports may be interposed with each other such that extraction of the upper support through the opening causes at least a portion of the support disposed just below to remain through the opening, and Thus, to facilitate its subsequent extraction of the bag Alternatively, each carrier can be packaged in an individual bag, and such that the opening of the bag can be obtained by tearing the bag.

  Alternatively, the supports can be packaged in rigid plastic boxes and other types of boxes compatible with the structure of the supports and the chemical compositions they contain.

  When it is desired to use the support as a wipe for cleaning or removing makeup from the face, the wipe is then impregnated with a liquid or solid composition, for example in the form of a powder, comprising a foaming surfactant. Different types of surfactants can be incorporated, such as anionic surfactants, or cationic, or amphoteric surfactants. The impregnated liquid or solid composition may also comprise one or more softeners, vitamins, a perfume, neutralizing agents and other types of active agents, preferably hydrophilic active agents and preservatives. To obtain the foaming effect, water can then be provided in large quantities at the time of use of the wipe, and finally for rinsing after use.

  Overall, the invention also relates to a method of cosmetic treatment by means of an article as made above and consisting in: i) impregnating said article with water at a first temperature (TO), 2856911 8 ii) depositing all or part of said article impregnated with water, at least one cosmetic product, iii) bringing into contact with a surface to be treated, in particular the skin or the hair, at least one face of the article impregnated with said cosmetic product; and iv) contacting said article with water at a second temperature (T1) so as to solubilize the support and to disintegrate at least part of said article.

  Alternatively, in the case where the carrier is already pre-impregnated with a substantially anhydrous cosmetic composition, then the cosmetic treatment process comprises: i) impregnating said article with water at a first temperature (TO), ii ) bringing into contact with a surface to be treated, especially the skin, at least one face of the article impregnated with said cosmetic composition; and iii) contacting said article with water at a second temperature (T1) so as to solubilize the support and disintegrate at least part of said article.

  The nonwoven support made with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers was tested in the dry state and in the wet state, that is to say after a stay of 1 hour in water. The mechanical properties were tested in the direction parallel and transverse to the main elongation axis of the fibers of the support. The results presented are averages carried out on groups of 5 supports identically tested. The tested supports are rectangular.

  Two types of media were considered. The first supports have a defined length parallel to the main axis of elongation of the fibers, they have in this case an initial length of 250 mm, and an initial width of 50 mm. The second supports have a length defined orthogonally to the main axis of elongation of the fibers, they have in this case an initial length of 190 mm, and an initial width of 50 mm. The results obtained are summarized in the table below.

  First supports Second supports "Parallel direction VI)" "Transverse direction (1)" Length Width Length Width Non woven dry 250 mm 50 mm 190 mm 50 mm Non woven wet 110 mm 20 mm 100 mm 27 mm Shrinkage 56% 60% 47% 46% The maximum force and elongation at break of these different types of non-woven supports were tested, in dry and wet states respectively, by exerting the tensile forces at the ends of the supports, so that the forces tensile forces are parallel to the length of these supports. The results are presented in the following table.

  First supports Second supports "Parallel direction (II)" "Transverse direction (1)" Strength Elongation Strength Maximum elongation at maximum breaking strength Non woven dry 39 N 13% 10.1 N 120% Non woven wet 42 N 161% 5.5 N 79.7% Evolution + 7% X12 -45% -33%

Claims (12)

  1. A disposable cosmetic article comprising at least one fibrous support extending substantially in at least one plane, and made of at least one selected material such that, i) when the support is brought into contact with the water at a first temperature (TO) retracts at least partially and becomes elastic in at least one direction of said plane, and that ii) when the support is brought into contact with water at a second 10 temperature (Ti), higher than the first temperature (TO), it dissolves so as to disintegrate at least in part.   2. Article according to claim 1 characterized in that the support comprises water-soluble fibers of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA).   3. Article according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the carrier is, at least in part, impregnated with a cosmetic product, preferably anhydrous, including a makeup removal product.   4. Article according to claim 1 or 3 characterized in that, when in contact with water at the first temperature (TO), the support shrinks by at least 45%, and preferably, at least 60% in a direction of said plane.   5. Article according to one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the first temperature (TO) is less than or equal to 40 C.   6. Article according to one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that the second temperature (Ti) is greater than or equal to 20 C.   7. Article according to one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that the fibrous support is a nonwoven and has a main axis of elongation of the fibers.   8. Article according to the preceding claim characterized in that when it is brought into contact with water at the first temperature (TO), its elongation at break in the direction of the main axis of elongation fibers is at least 5 times, and preferably at least 10 times its elongation at break when the article is dry.   9. Article according to one of claims 7 to 8 characterized in that when it is brought into contact with water at the first temperature (TO), its elongation at break perpendicular to the axis of elongation main fiber, is lower than its elongation at break when the article is dry.   10.- Article according to one of claims 1 to 9 characterized in that the humidification of the article causes irreversible changes.   11. Article according to one of claims 1 to 10 characterized in that in the moistened state at the first temperature (TO), the surface condition of the article is rougher than in the dry state .   12. Article according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is configured in the form of a wipe, a pad, an applicator tip or a glove.   13. A method of cosmetic treatment by means of an article according to any one of claims 1 to 12 consisting in: i) impregnating said article with water at a first temperature (TO), ii) deposit on all or part said article impregnated with water, at least one cosmetic product, iii) bringing into contact with a surface to be treated, in particular the skin or the hair, at least one face of the article impregnated with said cosmetic product; and iv) contacting said article with water at a second temperature (Ti) so as to solubilize the support and disintegrate at least part of said article.   A method of cosmetic treatment by means of an article according to any one of claims 1 to 12, said article being pre-impregnated with a substantially anhydrous cosmetic composition, said method comprising: i) impregnating said article with water at a first temperature (TO), ii) bringing into contact with a surface to be treated, in particular the skin, at least one face of the article impregnated with said cosmetic composition; and iii) contacting said article with water at a second temperature (T1) so as to solubilize the support and disintegrate at least part of said article.